
News Blog
Scroll for helpful tips, stories, and news in Indonesia
Business Owners in Bali: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About OSS
Are you planning to start a business in Indonesia? Then, perhaps you’ve come across the OSS system, and if you haven’t yet, you’re likely to during the process of setting your business up. The OSS is a digital platform that has transformed the way that business licenses are obtained across Indonesia. Whether your plans are opening a restaurant in Canggu, or starting a villa rental business in Seminyak, you need to understand what the OSS system is and how it works to make sure you stay compliant.
Building Crackdown Hits Bingin: What’s Changed?
The 21st of July 2025 saw an event that sent shockwaves across both Bali and the wider world: the demolition of over 40 properties on Bingin Beach, a long-time haven for surfers since the 1970s, and a favourite hotspot for both tourists and locals alike. Building owners received notices on the 25th of June and were given two weeks to voluntarily dismantle their properties.
Want to Volunteer, Perform, Do An Internship or Work Trial in Indonesia? Now You Can, With Indonesia’s C-Group Visas
Are you looking to gain professional experience in Indonesia, share your skills with local communities, or pursue creative opportunities? Indonesia's new C-group visas have opened doors for activities that weren't possible with standard tourist visas. These specialized visas allow you to volunteer, perform, intern or conduct work trials legally in the country.
Whether you're a journalist seeking to cover Indonesian stories, a musician planning to perform, or a professional wanting to test the waters with a potential employer, these visas will give you a legitimate pathway to meaningful activities beyond just tourism.
PT PMA Owners - Take Note: What You Need to Know to Be Compliant in 2025
If you own a PT PMA in Indonesia, the most important thing to note is that regulatory enforcement has become considerably stricter in 2025. Indonesian authorities are now taking a much more systematic approach to making sure that foreign investment companies are meeting their compliance obligations.
How To Move Your Family to Bali: Everything You Need to Know Before Taking the Plunge
Are you thinking about trading in your current life to move to Bali with your family? Or, perhaps, you’re already here and wondering how you can move your loved ones to be with you? Plenty of families have moved to Bali, and there are several options when it comes to visas. However, there are also certain considerations such as housing, schooling and budgeting that you need to take into account before you take the decision of moving here with your family.
Expecting Abroad: How to Manage Pregnancy in Indonesia as a Foreigner
Finding yourself pregnant whilst living in Indonesia can bring a wide range of emotions and practical considerations. Whatever your circumstances, whether you’re excited to start this new chapter, or perhaps feeling overwhelmed or distressed, we’ll try to cover the necessary steps if you’ve found out that you’re pregnant whilst in Indonesia, so that you’re a bit clearer on what you need to plan.
How to Get Around in Bali: A Guide to Transportation and Avoiding Traffic
Are you coming to Bali soon, or are you new on the island? There’s a lot to look forward to, but getting around might not be one of them if you’re staying in a tourist hotspot. Despite all the beauty to be found along Bali’s roads, there are also challenges, such as dealing with terrible traffic, pushy taxi drivers or not having your own transportation. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you understand how to get around in Bali, so you can enjoy yourself to the max and potentially save hours of your precious time.
So, Do I Need to Pay Taxes in Bali? What You Need To Know as an Expat in Indonesia
As Benjamin Franklin famously said, ‘in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.’ Even if you live in paradise - Franklin’s quote still applies. If you’re a foreigner living and working in Bali, either physically or remotely, here’s what you need to know about taxes.
Can You Bring Your Pet to Bali? What You Should Know About Relocating Your Furry Friend to Bali
Pets are beloved family members who provide that feeling of being at home wherever you go. So if you’re planning a move to Bali, it’s unlikely you’ll want to leave your fur baby behind. Although it’s somewhat of a grey area in Indonesia, if you prepare and have patience, you should be able to bring your pet with you. However, before you get too excited, it’s important to keep in mind that transporting your pet can be both challenging, expensive and even dangerous for your pet, and should only be done with thorough consideration. If you’re still curious, let’s walk through your options so you can make the right decision for you and your pet.
Bali After Burnout: How to Plan A Healing and Restorative Trip in Bali After Chronic Stress
In today's busy world, burnout has become a common problem. If your energy is depleted, you’re feeling overworked or you just need a new lease on life, Bali could be an incredible place to recover - but only if you know where to go. Although Instagram shows off Bali's beauty, the reality is that in popular areas, there are traffic jams, crowded beaches, and constant noise that might grate on your nerves.
So if you’re planning on beating burnout in Bali, read this first so you can find your own little slice of heaven and get back to feeling like yourself.
What Should You Do If an Earthquake Strikes in Bali?
Bali sits within the ‘Ring of Fire,’ an area that is home to the most seismic activity out of any area in the world, accounting for 90% of all earthquakes and 75% of all the world’s volcanoes. This means that earthquakes could be an unfortunate reality for expats or even unlucky holiday makers visiting the island. Following the recent powerful earthquake that struck Thailand and Myanmar, you may be wondering about how to respond during an earthquake. As with most things, it’s always good to prepare in advance and be aware of certain safety measures so you can act quickly and make both quick and smart decisions in the event of an earthquake during your time in Bali.
Indonesia’s Employment Laws for Expats and Employers in 2025: KITAS and BPJS Explained
If you’re an employer or an expat in Indonesia, making sure that you’re aware of employment laws and frameworks is important. There are two areas that you should be aware of: the work permit system and the mandatory BPJS national insurance scheme.
What Not To Do in Bali: Avoid These Common Mistakes on Your Holiday
If you’re planning a trip to Bali, then we don’t doubt that you’re getting excited about the things you’ll do during your trip. But if you’ve ever wondered what you shouldn’t do whilst you’re here - allow us to fill you in. Keeping these rules in mind will help you avoid making common mistakes that can make your trip stressful, or worse, end rather ungracefully.
Nyepi in Bali: Etiquette for Bali’s Day of Silence
If you’ll be in Bali during one of Bali's most unique and interesting cultural holidays - Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence - then you’re in for an interesting experience. Nyepi falls on the 29th of March, 2025, and marks the beginning of a new year on the Balinese Saka calendar. During this time, it’s important to be aware of some restrictions that will come into place for roughly 24 hours. It’s also a good idea to prepare yourself for the holiday, so that when it comes, you can enjoy the peace and quiet that this very special day brings.
Moving to Bali 2025: Is It Still Worth It?
The rise of remote working has created new expectations of what workplaces should look like, with instagram posts of a Bali beach or infinity pool captioned ‘my office today’ inspiring a dream in many. Still, the island has been getting some bad press on social media in the last year, with visitors blaming traffic, over tourism and rapid development as some of the main culprits for their disappointment. So - is moving to Bali still worth it in 2025?
What Is a PT PMA and Why You Need One for Business in Indonesia
As Indonesia continues to grow economically, more and more foreign investors are curious about how to get involved in the business landscape here. If you’re one of them, then opening a PT PMA (Penanaman Modal Asing) or effectively, a foreign owned company, is the way to do it. Whether you're planning to open a restaurant, run a digital agency, invest in property or something else, let’s explore what a PT PMA is and why you need one.
Can You Own Land in Indonesia As a Foreigner? Exploring Your Options for Land Ownership
If you're looking to make Indonesia or Bali your home, then understanding how property ownership works here is a necessary step in your journey. Although Indonesian law restricts foreign ownership of freehold land, there are other options available. Let's explore the ways you can legally own land in Indonesia, so that you can make an informed decision about building your dream home or creating the right property for your business or investment needs.
Island Hopping in Indonesia: Top Destinations Beyond Bali
Indonesia is home to 17,000 islands - and Bali is certainly one of the most famous and most loved around the world. But with that many islands to choose from, why visit just one? Indonesia spans three time zones, and offers some of the most diverse landscapes and unique cultures any travel destination could hope to. If you're wondering about what to explore beyond Bali, let us take you on a quick tour around some places we think should be added to your itinerary.
Just Opened a PT PMA in Indonesia? Here's Your Compliance Blueprint
If you’ve recently set up your PT PMA in Indonesia congratulations on this milestone in your journey! Whilst this is an exciting time, you may also be feeling a little stressed from having new corporate responsibilities to deal with. If you’re wondering what these responsibilities are, allow us to walk you through the areas you need to focus on to maintain compliance.
Living and Working in Bali in 2025: Your Top 10 Questions Answered
For the past few years, our team at Bali Solve has helped countless people from around the world make this beautiful island their home. As one of Bali’s premier consulting agencies, we've noticed the same questions coming up again and again. So, here are the top 10 things people ask us about living and working in Bali - with fresh answers for 2025.
Let’s work together